Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Michigan Wolverines Match Player Stats On Oct 01, 2011

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 1, 2011

No. 19 Michigan scored touchdowns on its first four possessions — two rushing, two passing — en route to a dominating 58-0 victory over Minnesota in the Big Ten opener for both teams Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Denard Robinson had two first-half passing touchdowns and added a rushing score for the Wolverines, who took a 38-0 lead at the half. In doing so, Michigan outgained Minnesota 384-69 in the first half and allowed just four Gophers first downs.

Michigan improved to 5-0 for the second time in as many years and won its Big Ten opener for the sixth straight season. The shutout was the first for Michigan against a conference opponent since the Lloyd Carr era.

Minnesota (1-4, 0-1 Big Ten) lost for the 20th time in the last 21 meetings against Michigan. The Gophers, whose starting quarterback, MarQueis Gray, was out with a toe injury, haven’t beaten the Wolverines since a 23-20 victory at the Big House in 2005.

Two running backs scored for the Wolverines, including Fitzgerald Toussaint, who had 108 rushing yards on 11 carries. Michigan had 363 of its 580 total yards on the ground, the third straight time it has rushed for 300 or more yards.

Michigan’s defense came in ranked 11th in the country in points allowed and was third in the country in turnovers forced. Against the Gophers, the Wolverines forced two turnovers — both fumbles — to bring their season total to 15.

Quarterback Max Shortell finished 11-of-22 for 104 yards for the Gophers, who went 0-for-11 on third-down conversions.